Crispy Onion Cheese Chips (Print Version)

Thin onion slices layered with cheese, air-fried to crispy perfection for a tasty snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium yellow onions, peeled

→ Dairy

02 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Spices & Seasonings

04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Optional Garnish

08 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - Cut onions into thin rings approximately 1/8 inch thick. Separate rings and pat dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
02 - Set air fryer to 375°F and allow it to reach temperature.
03 - Place onion rings in a single layer on a parchment-lined air fryer basket or tray.
04 - In a bowl, combine shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese with garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
05 - Generously sprinkle the cheese mixture over each onion ring, ensuring even coverage.
06 - Cook in the air fryer for 8 to 12 minutes until cheese is golden and crispy and onions are tender, monitoring to avoid burning.
07 - Allow chips to cool in the basket for 2 to 3 minutes to enhance crispiness.
08 - Carefully transfer chips to a serving platter, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're genuinely crunchy in a way that feels like a guilty pleasure but fits perfectly into a low-carb lifestyle.
  • The whole thing takes less than half an hour from onion to plate, no deep fryer required.
  • The cheese browns into these little caramelized pockets that are addictively salty and savory.
02 -
  • Moisture is the enemy—if you skip drying the onions thoroughly, they'll steam and stay soft instead of getting crispy.
  • Every air fryer heats differently, so check at 8 minutes the first time you make these; some run hot and can brown things faster than you'd expect.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline slicer if you have one—it makes the onion slices uniform, which means they cook at the same rate.
  • Don't walk away while they're cooking; the last few minutes are when the cheese goes from golden to burnt, and the difference happens fast.
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